Christmas Part 2 - Oma's Lakehome

We had such a fun time celebrating Christmas with Great Grandma Bernie, and everyone!! We were at Grandma Oma and Papa Charlie's house, and Linda and Karl, Amber, Kandi and Peg, and Dustin were there. Uncle Jon and Aunt Jenny and Cousins Owen and Eden were there too. Eden LOVED playing with me... we had the best time. And I loved watching Owen. Maybe I can be like him when I get older. I love you all!

Christmas Part 1 - Memphis

We were very fortunate to spend the weekend before Christmas with the Cloud family in Memphis! We hung out with Grandpa Scott, Jane and Rick, Sarah, Eric and Eli and Lily, Sandy and Rich and ELizabeth, AND Jon and Jenny and Owen and Eden. We were all so sad that Great Grandpa Wesley couldn't be there, as he was still recovering from his bout with pneumonia in the hospital. I also got sick the night before we left on the plane with a 103.9 temp, so I was pretty down the whole time we were there. Turns out I had roseola, that kept my fever up for 3 days, and ended up with a rash on my body. Even so, I sure had fun!!

All the adults played a LOT of Settlers of Catan. Sometimes I watched!

At the Peabody hotel, they have a fun ceremony where ducks come down on the elevator, and end up swimming in the fountain! Check it out!

I was doing "So Big", when Mommy had asked me, "How big is ben?" Also, check out Owen's and my outfit - we look awesome in our overalls!

on Beale Street!

Daddy LOVES the picture above....

and Mommy loves the picture below!

at the Memphis Zoo!

Mommy's favorite part were the panda bears. i loved 'em too.

My Christmas outfit!

And finally, eating the BEST fried chicken ever with Eric, Eli and Lily and "uncle lou's." Yummmm, it was good (well, that is what they tell me - i enjoyed my puffs.)

Ben is walking!

Ben has been walking for a few weeks now, really taking his first "step" at 9 1/2 months, but by 10 months, he can cruise 5-10 steps in a row! It is so fun watching him keep balance and take little steps. Here is a video I finally caught of him walking. Sorry it is sideways... :)

Pre-Christmas Fun!

The next posts come in a series --- our best family Christmas ever! Below are pictures of 'pre-Christmas', including some early December snow (it was a warm Christmas after it melted!), decorating the tree, and putting Ben in his Santa costume!

Meeting Santa at Macy's

Yes, meeting Santa was very traumatic for me. Even though Santa was AMAZING, and so very kind and gentle, it was still hard for me to get over the shock of sitting on his lap. I did eventually calm down enough for a real picture, though.

Before that, Oma, Daddy, Mommy and I went through the 'Day in the Life of an Elf', which showed all the amazing things the elves do at the North Pole. It was so neat, the adults couldn't ever get me to look at the camera.... :)

a face-off with Santa.....

SANTA WON.